A Colleague’s Plan I can Appreciate, especially the wedding…

ODETTE, was one disaster we all have to endure together! From working after the typhoon, having all the debris around us. To the never ending line up for basic commodities including water and gas, was really exhausting. Then had to endure the inconvenience of a power outage that we were forced to retreat into seclusion in the building pantry nothing to do but wait. So, we were on it together!

Little did I know that a colleague I just came to know was… He wasn’t silent but he was jolly around people and jokingly told stories about himself. I never knew all those stories he shared were real, nothing fantastic!

One Friday, he immediately went home because of a family emergency! His father died, amidst all the disasters going on, and with covid crisis, yes! Then our friends, mostly the ones who knew him. All those jokes weren’t joked that I get to laugh at. When he told us he lined up for the water and do the manual laundry for his siblings, was all true. Last year, his father was hospitalized and he shouldered the cost of ICU for a month. Then I learned he was financing his younger siblings to school because his father could no longer provide, along with his other siblings. Then hospitalization costs plus then, his father’s funeral. Ahh! And he did all these! He was so busy and exhaustion was all over his face! Laban lang!

Last month, he celebrated! They’re coming to terms, settling down! But according to myths, they will have to set the date for next year because his father just died. Hmm, setting goals, is really. We became his avid fans when setting expectations. Now, double his motivation to earn more because he wants to give his girlfriend a grand wedding. Making sure that he will be able to sustain the goal.

His motivation is the love of his life! Made her photo available to his view right by his side whenever depression and frustration hit his moods and became irate all of the sudden! The wedding is not for a show for his relatives or hers but rather to show his dire commitment to settle in with her! Showing his commitment that he wants to spend his life with her and he is willing to cross hell for her.

Well, I’m now part of their inner circle so he shared with us the goal. The car, the condo, the house, the wedding plus the colleges! Wow! All at the same time, I say! He said I'm managing it. And I get it, he got the motivation to do all these despite inflation. Working double to hit quota, his motivation plus us his other motivation and prayers he says! All these won’t fail, work for there is no time to slack!

Now he is lecturing us! That before he experienced his father working payday-to-payday only to pay debts and incur another debt to live by another payday! Yes, it was so true because the opportunity before was not as promising as now I said. But he defended, that it’s something we all can learn and move on from there! Cut all those that were practiced and start making new practices from this point on! He defended more that the trauma of relatives taking advantage because they were poor. The ridicule and insults are thrown at their faces, worst they are relatives that were supposed to help in times of trouble but. Now, we get to live and change that outlook!

After 8 years, they’re finally tying the knot forevermore! A garden wedding was planned because a beach wedding is a bit troublesome. Settling with something grand but less trouble is good enough, at least things will be smooth, and if rough, well they have together to overcome it. All hopes and madala ra kuno ug smile! Well, that’s a good way to start! Hearing all the expenses they’re undertaking, will not be easy but at least they have all their cards laid. Now til next year, time to earn and save up!

I can appreciate that they truly had it planned. 8 years together is not easy and still have to wait another year before. I think it's all worth the wait, his more inspired and motivated as their piled up their years together! Well, all I can say is that they’ve grown as a couple.

Just sharing, thanks for the read!

July 31, 2022
Image: pinterest